Kim: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: ke-e-m
Origin: Korea, Republic of
gender-female

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Apr 14, 2025 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Asia
Meaning: Noble

The name Kim is a unisex name with multiple origins and meanings. It is derived from the Old English word "cumb," which means "royal fortress" or "meadow". In Anglo-Saxon, the name Kim means "noble or brave". Additionally, Kim is the diminutive of Kimball, a common surname and a rare male-given name in the English language. The name has different meanings depending on its origins: it means "war chief" in Old Welsh, in Old Celtic, it means "leader of the men," and in Anglo-Saxon, it means "leader of the warriors". Kim also has a Korean origin, where it is a common surname and given name, signifying "gold". The name's origins can be traced to the Silla dynasty and the Gaya confederacy, ancient kingdoms in the Korean peninsula. When these kingdoms became one, the last name Kim became very popular. The name Kim is used as a given name in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, and the US. In Australia, Kim ranked among the top 1000 names until 1984, whereas in Belgium, the name was among the most popular until 2001. Kim was a popular boy's name in the US between 1940-1985.

Kim Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Kim is currently #461 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Girl: Kim is currently #257 on Kiindred Girl Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Kim is currently #455 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-female Girl Unique: Kim is currently #257 on Kiindred Girl Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Famous People Named Kim

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Kim, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Kim Kardashian: Kim Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, model, businesswoman, and actress known for her reality TV show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and her beauty and fashion empire.
  • Kim Basinger: Kim Basinger is an American actress, singer, and former fashion model known for her roles in "L.A. Confidential," "Batman," and "9½ Weeks."
  • Kim Cattrall: Kim Cattrall is a British-Canadian actress known for her role as Samantha Jones on the television series "Sex and the City."

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